Looking for protection from Thomas Fire smoke? Here's where to get masks

A time-lapse video shows plumes of smoke from the Thomas Fire as seen from Fillmore on Thursday.
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From left, Amelia Realzola, Jennifer Lopez and Raul Lopez wait for permission to hand out N-95 masks to field workers in Oxnard on Dec. 8.(Photo: TROY HARVEY/SPECIAL TO THE STAR, TROY HARVEY/SPECIAL TO THE STAR)Buy Photo

More than 500,000 breathing masks have been passed out to local residents to protect their lungs from smoke plumes generated by the Thomas Fire, authorities said Friday.

Ventura County officials are going to continue that free distribution as the blaze rages on. According to a list on readyventuracounty.org, the cities of Santa Paula, Ojai, Fillmore, Ventura, Oxnard and Camarillo have different locations for residents to pick them up.

Although much of the smoke has impacted those in the western part of the county, wind shifts on Friday mean the eastern part could also feel its effects, according to the National Weather Service in Oxnard.

The Ventura County Air Pollution Control District stated the unhealthiest air quality is in the Ojai Valley.

“Air quality should be considered unhealthy in areas directly impacted by smoke,” according to a statement from the district. “If you are in an area directly impacted by smoke, please exercise extreme caution and avoid vigorous outdoor or indoor exertion.”

The air quality was considered unhealthy for sensitive groups, such as people with heart or lung disease, older adults and children.

For more information about air quality in Ventura County, visit vcapcd.org.

Here's a full list of locations to pick up masks:

FROM READYVENTURACOUNTY.ORGN95 masks are being distributed free of charge to those residents and businesses impacted by the fire.